Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
leashyourkids wrote:
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
leashyourkids wrote:
Some bicyclists are tough guys until you stop the car.
And some drivers are tough guys until you catch up to them at the next light.
Agreed.
You know, I can't say it enough times. I'm in my car far more than I'm on my bike. But when I'm in my car a guy on a bike isn't endangering me the way a guy in a car might when I'm on my bike. I find myself growing ever more militant on the bike.
Just last week I was riding down Lincoln Street near Northwestern. They just put a gigantic garage on the north end of campus so suddenly Lincoln is a fucking highway. Well, there was a group of four typical Evanston lesbians on bikes in front of me. They were over to the right as was I and they were going slower than I was. Note I didn't start screaming at them to get the fuck out of my way because I was faster traffic. I shoulder checked and saw a BMW about half a block back. I had plenty of room to pull out to my left and go around the carpet munchers. The speed limit is 30 tops and might be less. I'm well in front of this guy and I have every right to be on the road. I signal with my hand and as soon as I come out he lays on the horn. To what purpose? To make me jerk right and cause a wreck with the girls? Because he thinks he's more important than I am? What does he think I might do? Of course, I move further left so he doesn't clip me. He proceeded to pull out to where oncoming traffic would be if there were any and stomp on the gas so his tires squealed. I caught him at the next stop sign. I think he was afraid because he made a sudden right turn onto Orrington.
I think the dynamic is a little different depending on city vs country/burbs. In the city, bike riders are more expected and actually do help cut down on traffic in the larger scheme of things. There are practices in place to help regulate bike riders vs cars. I have typically lived in less populated areas, and bike riders there tend to either not know the rules or just flatout ignore them. Also, there are situations that I don't think even have rules. For example, I will occasionally be driving on a two-lane highway and a bike rider will be straddling the right solid line. While he isn't in the middle of the lane, he is essentially taking up the whole lane because I would have to move into the left lane to pass him. If there is oncoming traffic, I literally have no option but to drive behind him at 30 MPH until the oncoming traffic is gone. Meanwhile, the bike riders will occasionally look back at me like I'm supposed to go around. I can't go around; that's the point. But I also have to look out for their safety by not getting too close. I mean, if a bicycle is technically a road vehicle, shouldn't they have to go at least the minimum speed limit?
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Curious Hair wrote:
I'm a big dumb shitlib baby